⚠️ Warning: This chapter may contain explicit descriptions, touch on sensitive topics for the audience, and reference World War II and the Holocaust. The author does not intend to create morbid content or satire about these events and approaches the topic with care and respect. The aim is not to trivialize or politicize the tragedy or the war's victims. Reader discretion is advised.
🫠 Author's Note: Hello everyone, thank you so much for reading these chapters of Polemos to Agion. I want to clarify that this is just a note and contains no spoilers for the full story.
The first arc of Polemos to Agion will cover various themes and is divided into three volumes. We are currently working on volume one of this arc, The Saints' Arc.
When this first volume is finished, I will leave the corresponding link in the final chapter, as well as the title of the second volume, which will be released as a separate book.
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Lecco, Italy: May 4, 1945
Dánae: "Hey, Kamei-san."
Kamei-san: "Yes?"
Dánae: "Can I call you something else? I mean… 'Kamei-san' is kind of long."
Kamei-san: "Alright. What do you want to call me?"
Dánae: "I want to call you… Otter Man."
Kamei-san: "Don't call me that."
Dánae: "Then… how about 'Kami'?"
Kamei-san smiled and nodded:
Kamei-san: "Yes, I think that's fine."
Dánae: "Well… Kami… I have a question. What are we doing here? I mean… Italy is interesting and all, but… was it really necessary to come to a bar? Also, people won't stop staring at me…" she said, embarrassed.
Kamei-san looked at her calmly:
Kamei-san: "It's simple. It's just that you're… kind of unusual. Your hair has spirals, you're red-haired, very tall… and your eyebrows… they look like a butterfly or a pig's tail."
Dánae: "What?!" she touched her eyebrows, horrified. "Are you insulting me?"
Kamei-san: "No, it's a compliment." he smiled. "It's rare to see someone like you. In all my years, I've never seen something so strange… but adorable."
Dánae: "I still think you're making fun of me," she murmured, crossing her arms and frowning.
Kamei-san laughed:
Kamei-san: "No, that's not true. Actually, ask anyone here; I bet they'd say the same."
Dánae: "I'm going to call you Otter Man from now on." she said. "Seriously, sometimes you forget I only speak Russian… I can't say that… I don't speak Inbeliano, Inteyano, whatever this strange language of this weird country is!"
At that moment, a waiter approached:
Waiter (in Italian): "Sir, excuse me, is she your daughter?"
Kamei-san answered, a little reluctantly:
Kamei-san: "Yes, she is my daughter."
Waiter: "She's a foreigner, isn't she? I've never seen such a beautiful woman."
Kamei-san: "Yes… she's adorable. When she wants to be." he said, smiling.
Dánae frowned and looked at him:
Dánae: "Are you making fun of me too?!"
The waiter looked startled, and Kamei-san translated:
Kamei-san: "She says you're very handsome."
Waiter: "Ah… thank you." he said, somewhat surprised.
Dánae: "What did you say to him?" she asked, tilting her head and frowning.
Kamei-san: "I didn't say anything." he turned his head mockingly.
Dánae: "Well… then, what are we doing here?" she insisted, wobbling a bit as she looked around.
Kamei-san: "We're here to visit a friend." he replied. "He's the owner of this place. Or well, his son… I came to seek help."
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We are in the southern part of the city of Bremen, May 4, 1945.
Galton was with Adelaida and Nuriel. After crossing a mined area and avoiding Allied troops, there was already a U.S. military presence in Seehausen.
Galton arrived at a farm that was barely recovering after the British bombings. They lodged Nuriel at the farm, and Galton threatened the owner: he killed his cow with a single punch. He said:
Galton: "This cow is for this child now. If you don't give me asylum for this child, I assure you that you will end up like the cow! And I'll keep your house!"
Seeing that they had no choice, the residents had to follow Galton's orders out of fear. The cow had already been slaughtered and distributed to minimize losses.
Adelaida, for her part, took measures to care for Nuriel: she warmed his hands, which were ice-cold, with hot water. Meanwhile, Galton had stolen the doctor's notes from the town of Harz.
They detailed exactly what Nuriel would need and how he should recover: what he should eat, which medicines to take, and even more meticulously, how to treat the master he would require care for due to initial tuberculosis and anemia.
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Note: Dr. Wilhelm Friedrich SchreinerPatient: Nuriel — Polish JewAge: Approx. 12 yearsDate: 04/14/45Diagnosis: Early pulmonary tuberculosis, moderate anemia
General Instructions:Keep the patient on relative rest. Avoid intense physical effort.Keep hands and feet warm; cold can worsen respiratory condition.Avoid sudden temperature changes and prolonged exposure outdoors.
Recommended Diet:Iron (liver, lean meat, eggs). Include cooked leafy greens and fresh fruits for vitamins.Avoid fatty or heavily seasoned foods.Divide meals into small portions every 3–4 hours.
Medications:Oral iron extract, twice a day with meals.Specific anti-tuberculosis syrup (dosage according to patient weight), administered every 12 hours.Bayer Aspirin if there is muscle pain or fever.
Special Care:Check for signs of worsening: persistent cough, hemoptysis, breathing difficulties.Maintain proper ventilation in the room, avoiding direct drafts on the patient.Monitor anemia: observe paleness of skin and mucous membranes.
Observations: Krankenhaus Waldfriede, Zehlendorf, BerlinDr. Wilhelm Friedrich Schreiner
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However, Galton, reading the notes more than once, had to admit that, despite knowing how to read and speak the language through the cherub, the doctor's handwriting was not the easiest to read.
Adelaida approached and said:
Adelaida: "Did you take that from the doctor's house?"
Galton replied:
Galton: "I'm not that smart when it comes to medicine, but when it comes to finding the materials, I think it's the least I can do."
Adelaida said:
Adelaida: "Well, I think you're right about that. You already got him a cow… At least that's something." she said, sarcastically.
Galton looked at her with suppressed anger.
Adelaida: "Can I see it? You can't read it, right?"
Galton continued:
Galton: "Here, girl."
Adelaida responded:
Adelaida: "If I tell you what you need to get, would you do it?"
Galton replied:
Galton: "Yes, yes. But… could you escape with Nuriel?"
Adelaida: "The truth is, I've already resigned myself to that," said Adelaida. "I can't deny that I find you unpleasant, but now Nuriel needs my help and I don't have the strength to carry him. Not to mention, who would I even ask for help? You're literally capable of killing an SS soldier like it's nothing."
Galton said:
Galton: "Alright, girl. What do I need to get?"
Adelaida replied:
Adelaida: "It embarrasses me and at the same time makes me angry, but knowing you, you're going to steal them."
Galton nodded:
Galton: "Yes, that's true. Kamei-san is the one in charge of the money. He does everything so peacefully that, frankly… it seems stupid to me."
Adelaida thought:"Who is he? He's been mentioning him since they shot him…"
Adelaida said:
Adelaida: "I'm going to take care of Nuriel."
Galton asked:
Galton: "Why are you so committed to that boy? I'm asking because you're supposed to be German, and Germans hate Jews. A couple of weeks ago, you said you wouldn't help him, and now you are."
Adelaida replied intensely:
Adelaida: "I was wrong. I admit it. I'm not a fool. I just didn't know. And I feel very guilty… while at the same time I know it's not my fault. But I don't care what my nation did, much less what you'll do… I lost my entire family…" her voice breaks "I have to hold onto someone… And that someone is that Polish boy. So, Nuriel… I'm going to hold onto him… because we're supposed to be saints now, right? Now I'm immortal, unfortunately. And I can't do anything about it. Nuriel is still not immortal. At least, that's the little I've come to understand about what you've been talking about so much."
Adelaida: "So, Galton… right? That's your name?" she said furiously. "I'll tell you what you need to get."
Galton: "We won't stay here long. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if the neighbors ran to an SS soldier and turned us in. So listen carefully. Tell me the most important things. Because after this, we're heading to the border."
Adelaida: "Don't you understand that Nuriel has to stay at rest?" she replied angrily.
Galton: "He'll be at rest once we're away from this conflict," Galton responded. "There are too many soldiers. If they see Nuriel, they'll shoot him."
Adelaida stepped closer, confronting him:
Adelaida: "Maybe your violent attitude is the reason they'll shoot us. You want to save his life, but at the same time, you'll kill him trying to save him. In any case, I think you should be smarter, make a decision, right?"
Galton asked:
Galton: "Why are you so confident, girl? Since the day I kidnapped you, you didn't have that confidence. Why do you think you can stand in front of me and tell me what you think?"
Adelaida replied, with fear and anger:
Adelaida: "First, because I didn't ask you to kidnap me… I didn't ask for any of this… I didn't ask to be here…""Second, because I have the protection of a cherub. And from what I can tell, you pay a lot of attention to that angel. It seems you can't disobey it. So I have a privilege you can't touch… Even though I can't escape, you also can't kill me. And you can't hurt me or Nuriel for some reason…""And finally, because I hate you! Because you took away the only chance I had to save my family. Happy now?"
Adelaida trembled as she said this, because despite all her courage, she still feared Galton.
Galton slapped her, knocking her to the ground. Terrified, her bravery fell with her.
Galton: "Listen, girl. If you want to take that role so badly, I'll leave Nuriel in your hands. You'll be completely in charge of his medicines and his food, because frankly, I can't do it. So I leave Nuriel's life in your hands, but make no mistake, I have no scruples with women."
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On the other side, in Italy, Kamei-san was sitting across from a soulmate, a man named Giovanni, the owner of the tavern that had endured the years of war.
Kamei-san: "So you got married again, and you were able to continue your father's business," said Kamei-san.
Giovanni shrugged:
Giovanni: "Well, we can't really call it a proper business. The war was very hard here, and especially the anti-fascist revolution, but at least the beer stayed."
Kamei-san: "I'm surprised this place is still somewhat active. We've had losses—but cheers to that."
Kamei-san: "Alright," he said. "I'm going to contribute something with you."
He pulled out a gold bar and placed it on the table. The Italians looked at it curiously, and before they could ask more questions, Kamei-san quickly took it back.
Before leaving the port of Chioggia, he managed to take the gold bar without being seen.
Giovanni: "By my mother, may she rest in peace! Where did you get that?"
Kamei-san: "While I was in the Gobi Desert, I think—I honestly got lost and found an old structure," said Kamei-san, calmly. "That structure had several things, and among them, some interesting valuables. Among those, this bar. I assume it was a statue, entirely made of gold. I don't know what it was for, maybe a tomb. I've been cutting this bar since I left Vermont, and frankly, it's been very useful."
Giovanni: "I'll give you half of that bar if you tell me how to get to the United States quickly. I'm thinking of flying. I need documents…"
The old man leaned forward, thoughtful.
Giovanni: "You tempt me… want another beer?"
Kamei-san: "Sure, why not?" he replied, smiling slightly.
Giovanni: "Look, honestly, do you have any idea how hard it is to fake a plane ticket? And documents too? You'd have to have Italian nationality, and you've always avoided having any. I've watched all this time as you travel from city to city, country to country, and you never asked for nationality, not even British nationality, which would have helped. Plus, our situation with the United States is complicated. We can't go there just because we want to."
Kamei-san: "And who else could help me then? I have to get this girl to Vermont."
Giovanni: "What's your name, girl?" the old man intervened.
Dánae: "What is he saying?" she asked, confused.
Kamei-san: "He's asking your name," Kamei-san clarified.
Dánae: "My name is Dánae Anastasia Valcliev Kirov," she replied with a bow. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Egg Man."
Kamei-san raised an eyebrow:Kamei-san: "Dánae, don't be disrespectful."
Dánae: "But he doesn't understand me… or do you understand Russian?" she asked, looking at him.
The old man replied in Russian:Giovanni: "Yes, dear. I also think you're a very obedient girl."
Dánae blushed:Dánae: "Ok, I'll be quiet now…"
Everyone laughed: the old man, Kamei-san, even the girl.
Kamei-san: "Although it may not seem like it, her father was Russian," he commented to Dánae. "They came to Italy for public relations. Her father married an Italian woman and now runs the family business. Though that surprises me."
Dánae: "How did you meet him?" she asked. "His father, or him?"
Kamei-san replied:Kamei-san: "Yes, I already told you, kid, I'm immortal."
Giovanni: "Of course…" he said, observing Kamei. "This man looks exactly the same as when he was seven years old."
Dánae thought for a moment.Dánae: "Seven years old? So how old is Kamei-san then?"
Giovanni: "Look, Kamei, honestly, I don't know how to help you, really. But maybe someone else can," said Giovanni.
Kamei-san: "Spit it out," ordered Kamei-san.
Giovanni: "Look, if I'm going to spit it out, do you promise at least to visit me in 15 years? I'd like to see you before I die. You always stay away for very short periods. I've only seen you three times in my life."
Kamei-san: "Look, I don't promise anything, but I'll give you this gold bar," said Kamei-san.
Giovanni: "Alright. Consider this our last conversation—but first, another beer."
Kamei-san: "You know perfectly well you don't have to get me drunk to keep my money, right?"
Giovanni: "But still, have another beer!"
Kamei-san: "My sister moved to Switzerland. She married a Swiss man. She lives there now. There are public relations in Switzerland. Let's make a deal. I keep half of your bar. Use the other half. With that half, you can bribe someone to fly you, depending on how."
Giovanni: "You could fake the documents or go in the cargo area. Either option is fine. You don't worry me much because your strength is immeasurable. And I think…" he looked at Dánae. "What's your name again, little one?"
Dánae: "My name is Dánae," she replied confidently.
Giovanni: "With Dánae, you can literally go wherever you want. If you go by plane, I think she'll be safe with you. In fact, I don't know how you got her from Stalingrad here. I'm amazed at your skill. How did you dodge the bullets?"
Kamei-san: "Who says I dodged them?"
Dánae: "Yes, it's true. They shot three times: one grazed my knee, another my hand, and one near my butt. That's why it sits weird," said Dánae.
Kamei-san: "The last one isn't true, Dánae," he commented, with a touch of humor.
Dánae: "You've already embarrassed me… I'll return it to you in this country or the other," she replied, blushing.
Giovanni laughed:Giovanni: "This girl is quite funny. Actually, I'm surprised by her sense of humor. Tell me, girl, where did you learn it?"
Dánae: "My father also had a tavern before the war," said Dánae.
Giovanni: "Oh, interesting. What was your father's name?"
Dánae: "His name was Nikolai Orlov, and he was very tall, really very tall, the door reached his neck. My mother's name was Tatiana Sokolova… And I… love them very much."
Dánae couldn't help but cry. This time, Kamei-san did nothing. He understood that letting her cry was perhaps the best way to process her loss.
Giovanni gave her a candy:Giovanni: "I don't know what happened to your parents, girl, but I want you to know that as long as you have people who love you, they will always live with you and Jesus Christ will have them in His holy glory. So don't cry for your parents because now they are with the Lord, also with you. Here, take this."
Dánae took the candy, tasted it, and said:Dánae: "This candy is strange… I know it's chocolate, but it has something else inside."
Giovanni: "Of course," he said, smiling. "Do you think that just because I'm old, I can't eat chocolates?"
Dánae laughed:Dánae: "Kamei-san, how much do I owe you?"
Kamei-san: "You owe me half of the bar. Because you won't come back. If you did come back in 15 years, you'd go free," Kamei replied.
Dánae: "I'll give you half."
Giovanni: "Alright, Kamei-san. I hope to see you again on Earth or in Heaven, but in either case, you make me wait."